Zimbabwe went down 4 nil in the ODI series against Bangladesh as half-centuries from Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim guided the hosts to a challenging 256/8 that Zimbabwe fell 21runs short of on Friday in Mirpur.

After winning the toss and sticking with the tried and tested method of opting to bat first, Mahmudullah struck a career best 82 not out and was assisted by Mushfiqur Rahim (77) and a late burst by captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza(39).

Zimbabwe seized the initiative early in the match, reducing Bangladesh to 32 for 4 at one stage, but a 134-wicket fifth wicket stand between Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur resurrected their innings. Mortaza then came in towards the end and gave the innings the acceleration it needed. Neville Madziva and Solomon Mire, the two Kadoma protégés who have brought honesty to this team and a hunger to don national colors, took three wickets each as they ran in and put a lot of heart and soul behind their deliveries in the absence of the rested Tinashe Panyangara. Tafadzwa Kamungozi bowled tightly for his two wickets for 36 runs in ten overs. Kamungozi would be a good treasurer because he would not go beyond his budget. He bowled well and is rising in confidence as the tour wears on.

256 was not a paltry score by any means but not a match-winning score on this pitch either, and the Zimbabwe would have fancied their chances going into the run-chase.Hamilton Masakadza and Vusi Sibanda opened and there was a deliberate effort not to lose wickets in the opening power play. The opening stand got to 48, before Shakib Al Hasan came into the attack and confirming Zimbabwe's psychological barrier against slow left arm spin, trapping Sibanda in front for 17 and bowling Masakadza through the gate for 28.

Maruma came in at 3 and lost his wicket to a disappointing stroke, going back to a Jubair Hossain googly he should have been forward to.

Brendan Taylor and Solomon Mire then got together to put on 106 runs for the fourth wicket partnership. This time Taylor exuded the body language of a man who had put his mind for the challenge at long last, marching on to a well-constructed 63 before edging while trying to be too clever with a ramp shot that carried through to the keeper.

Mire impressed the most for his second half-century in three outings, and coupled with his three wickets with the ball there is evidence that period as an outcast has hardened him, and he is breathing a fresh spirit into Zimbabwe cricket. He owes nothing to the old guard and is free to demand pride from his men without reference to the past.

Once again he played a loose shot soon after reaching the magical milestone, perhaps an area he ought to improve on going forward. The game was set up nicely at the back end for Elton to provide the lusty blows he is capable of but he failed when he was needed the most. The asking rate kept sky-rocketing and Regis Chakabva (26) and Peter John Moor (13) lost their wickets in pursuit of keeping up with it.

The final ODI is on Monday at the same venue. A one-minute silence was observed for the death of Australia batsman Phillip Hughes.